It must be believed that whatever they have done hath been for the best Were you Clarimond who carps at all things you could say no more Yet I excuse you for the present since 't is only the fear you are in lest I should not do my duty makes you speak thus and you would advise me if I were to thrust you over head and ears in some water to wash your members one after another But know there 's no need of all this My charms are so powerfull as to make you invulnerable with less ceremony then was used by the Divinities How do you properly explain that word of Invulnerable says Carmelin That is to say a thing that cannot be hurt or wounded replies Hircan I beseech you then let my Breeches have its part of your charms replies Carmelin that it may never be hurt by use nor accident If there are wounds in thy cloaths replies Hircan make plaisters for them of the same stuffe I do not employ my Art in things so low But let 's have no more prating be silent I must charm you two with as much efficacie as if you were in the Palace of Circe the Suns daughter Hircan having said this did some extraordinary ceremonies and repeated some barbarous words Then said he to Lysis and Carmelin Assure your selves that nothing can henceforth hurt you You have no more to do then to get into my Coach which shall infallibly carry you to the enchanted Castle where the fair Pamphilia is The two Shepherds went along with him out of the chamber into the hall where the company expected them Hircan giving each of them a stick in his hand bid them strike at an old earthen pot which they presently broke in pieces See you says he to them it will be as easie for you to break the head of a monster as to break this vessel As for your parts nothing can hurt you and that it is so you shall now try In saying so Hircan took a Fire-pan and making as if he would give Lysis a good blow he moderated the violence of his arm when he was neer his shoulders 'T is true says Lysis thou hast but tickled me a little Let me also know what it is says Carmelin Hircan thereupon turn'd the Fire-pan from the place where he seem'd to strike and discharg'd it on Carmelins buttocks but so roughtly that he made him scratch himself a good while after This is no jesting says he methinks I should have been arm'd there All this is well replies Hircan Thou shalt never suffer more hurt then thou hast now felt for those whom thou art to deal with are not so strong as I am and this is to assure thee thou shalt never receive wound after what I have given thee Carmelin being a little comforted by this wish'd for more pots and glasses for to try his forces on and Lysis had the same desire if Hircan had kept them any longer at their exercise He therefore would dismiss them presently but Lysis spoke to him in this manner Learned Magician what dost thou think on Seest thou not we have yet our garments of peace on We shall be nothing terrible if we have not warlike habits on For my part I will be like a Heros otherwise I will not hence Hast thou not observed that representation of Theseus descent into hell which thou hast in thy study Since I am to fight with Monsters and Robbers as that brave Warriour did I will be accoutred as he was This put Hircan in mind of an old blew Guard-coat he had in the bottom of a chest which had sometimes serv'd him in a mask His man went and fetch'd it and Lysis having viewed it found it for his purpose He took off his doublet for to put it on but because it was half-sleev'd and was plated and had little silver-nails he turn'd up his shirt above his elbow and fastened it there with pins for to have his arms bare as your ancient Warriours are painted He would also needs have his thights bare so that he went into the Wardrobe where he put off his breeches and his drawers and ty'd up the fore and hind-part of his shirt When he had done there were buskins brought him which he had before ask'd for he would put them on his bare legs and in this equipage he came back to the rest Somebody told him that he was very well accommodated according to the ancient mode but nothing to the present and that there was no Captain in the Kings Army that was so Let them follow their fancie says Lysis and let me alone to follow mine They shall not make me believe that a sort of raw younger brothers understand the Militia as well as so many invincible Heroes that are placed in heaven I should not make known my desire to be of their number if I did not imitate them as well in their modes as in their manners Besides 't is not to be thought I am the only man of this age that is clad as you see me I can shew you how that the most able men that we have are cloathed as I am 'T is true they are Writers but it it must be confess'd they are Warriours too since they have the confidence to be in the same garb as Theseus Achilles and Ajax If it be replied again They are not men of arms I will tell them that I have so much the more reason to be clad like a Hero since persons of so mean quality presume to do it Upon that he call'd for the Works of seven or eight French Poets which Hircan had in his Study and he shewed them all how at the beginning of every book the Authors had caused themselves to be drawn with Corslets according to the Grecian mode He concluded they went so clad since they were so drawn and that they must needs grant him that or freely confess that those people were very fantastick and very extravagant to be drawn in that posture That which was most ridiculous was the picture of a Poet that was a Counsellor who instead of his long robe had as the rest a Casaque after the ancient mode like a Heros in a Medal though his countenance was the most pedantick thing in the world Besides to avoid the word Counsellor which he thought not Court-like enough for a love-Love-book as his was he had put for his quality All having sufficiently laughted at these excellent imaginations they told Lysis that he yet wanted somwhat for to be absolutely accommodated to their imitation and that was that he had no Crown of Laurel on his head Nor have I yet gotten any Victory replies the new Warriour I must wear only a Casquet till that time But there is another thing wanting which you think not on Do you not see that these Heroes have I know not what about their necks I cannot tell you what it is and yet I must have such an ornament Certainly 't is a Napkin
the Argenis but I fear me the lock is so much out of order that it cannot open that Cabinet where we are promised to see such rarities They will have Meliander to be Henry the third Poliarchus Henry the fourth and Argenis to be France but though the Authour should have meant it so what ground is there to make an Analogy between our History and those divers Romantick adventures You find indeed that the discourses of State relate to our way of Government and when he speaks of the Hyperefanians all the world knows he means the Huguenots that Vsinulca is Calvin and Aquilius the Emperour but we go no further and when we have known all these explications we have learned but very triviall and ordinary things Why should we love truth better under a vail then when she is naked Some may haply come and tell me I should not speak of this book as an ordinary Romance as being full of maxims of State which prefer it before all other doe but read any book that treats of nothing but Politick knowledg and you will find a hundred times as much in it That this book raised it self into such an esteem at the beginning was because in other Romances those things were not commonly so frequent and the Authours made it their business to describe the passions Besides any other discourse whatever were as much to the purpose as those you find in the Argenis and I wish the Authour had set himselfe rather to speak only things necessary When Archombrotus found Poliarchus at his Mothers these two Lovers became furious at the first interview they shook again for indignation and viewed one another from head to foot as two men that were upon the point to fight All this is good but I would fain know whether they spoke or no and what they said in the presence of Hyamisbe who must needs oblige them to some discourse Two words would have satisfied me but this was the hardest nut of all to crack These Authours when they fall into such lurches pass over them slightly and I have observed in very famous Books that when a discourse was to be made on some ticklish occasion you only find that such a one said some fine words to his Mistress and we are satisfied but when it comes to an easie conjuncture you have discourses in their full length As for any esteem may be made of the Latine of the Argenis I am clearly of the contrary opinion for there are a many new words which were never currant at Rome so that if Salust returned into the world he would hardly understand it A man may lawfully add some words to a language that is in vogue because use may in time naturalize them but we must leave a dead language such as we find it in the Monuments of Antiquity and it is sacriledg to meddle with it Now I am to let you know what a thing the History of Lysander is I protest to you that book hath no invention in the world The Authour having heard that the best Romances should be full of miraculous Adventures hath no other secret to win us into admiration then to make a many unexpected rencontres wherewith he hath filled his book which is a thing very low and extream tedious Lysander coming from Calista's relieves her father against Robbers in the Forrest of Fontainbleu the next day he is second to Claranges against Lidian his Mistresses brother Cleander leaves his wife to go to Holland with these brave adventures There Lysander relieves the husband and brother of his Calista They return like strange Knights to challenge some French at a Tournament which done they take off their Helmets and discover themselves Lysander being in Burgundy sick is comforted by a Capuchin whom he finds to be Claranges and being gone like a Pilgrim to Montserrat he finds Cleander and his servants clad like slaves having been taken by a Pirate upon the Coast of Genua as they returned from Italy The Sermon being begun they find the Preacher to be Lidian whom an amorous despair had forced into devotion as well as his rivall Claranges They bring him back to Paris and discover themselves in these habits one after another After the death of Cleander and many other adventures Lysander goes over to a Tournament in England where he fought against Lidian and at length knew him and Alcidon and Berontus who were there upon the same occasion In the mean time Lucidan having demanded leave of the King to fight with Lysander who had killed his Uncle his father Adrastus appears for his son so does Dorylas Calistas's father and Calista her self disguised The Amazon Hypolita makes a fourth but the combat is staid by the coming in of Lidian Alcedon and Berontus who had been separted from Lysander by a Tempest Not to tell you the whole book by heart you see by these examples it contains nothing but meetings and discourses Some are separated others return and then they all meet at an hour so that the Authour deals by these persons as a Puppet-player by his Puppets makes them enter and exit off the Stage as he pleases And this is all the subtilty in it There are other passages farre enough from probability of being so as they are related Who will believe that Lysander having hurt Cloridan with a Lance a kinsman and four of his friends should come to Cleanders to assassinaâ—e him How were they admitted into the house all armed and what rage could animate them to such a mischief since Cloridan denied he knew any thing of it Yet a while after the Author wanting an invention to find his Lysander fighting work brings him a challenge from that Cloridan As for the Operatour that dressed the cloathes in stead of the body 't is a Magick I permit in a Romance But as to the spirit that appears to Cleander and prays him to bury his body which was in the bottom of a wel methinks it is a tale made in imitation of that of Athendorus but not so good for certain Pagans were of belief that those who were not buried were not admitted into the Elysian fields but as for Christians that they are so carefull to be put into holy ground 't is onely out of devout custom and those that miss of it are not accounted the less happy for that so that it is not credible a soule can be troubled with these considerations in the other World and disturb its own rest to come and desire one to bury the body wherein it had once dwelt But this spirit is besides very complementall it asks Cleander whether he will command him any service into that Countrey whither he goes As for his promise to give him notice of his death three days before it should happen 't is a question whether God permits any such premonitions For my part I believe they are onely Saints have that favour done them Yet this spirit comes one morning to give Cleander
you still find variety in our books and if you are not satisfied with them you may in vain wish that God would create another world or another nature for as long as we shall be what we are our Histories can never consist of any thing but suits of Law Wars Death and Marriage If my adversary take it ill that in a Romance a man relate a History in the same words as another hath related it to him he considers not that it is the principal grace of a book and that if he can make nothing of it 't is for want of attention It 's easily seen he knows not what to say against us and that he can do nothing but follow the imaginations of his own corrupt humours since that in the conclusion of all he could reproach us with nothing but the complaints which are lowdly made against us which is a thing no less natural then that there should be diversity of passions I therefore conjure you most just Judge not to regard his seeble reasons whereby he endeavours to make it appear to us that the best Romances in the world are worth nothing It is most certain that being made only for pleasure and not observing the rigorous laws of History there may be brought whatever the Author pleases so that they present us with all the examples of Vertue that can be imagined 'T is in these we find pleasure and profit together and where even women may learn Civility and Courtship These things being true and that it is granted there was never any man hitherto but Clarimond that doubted of them I beseech you to preserve Romances in that reputation which they have gotten in the world and more especially to confirm unto those I have named the honour and respect they deserve Philiris having spoken in this manner the minds of the audience which had been carried away by Clarimond turn'd on a sudden in his favour that had harangu'd last 'T is true when they remembred all the reasons that Clarimond had alleadged they returned again to his side so that they were still in uncertainty and wish'd that Anselme would give sentence one way or other But as they were in expectation of it Amaryllis rose up and desired to be admitted mediatrix in the cause depending She was permitted to say what she pleased and that fair Lady spoke thus The Oration of AMARYLLIS mediating for Romances THough I am the most inconsiderable of all those of our sexe that are here present most wise and righteous Judge yet will I not be afraid to speak in a business which so much concerns us since no other will undertake it I cannot suffer that Clarimond should condemn Romances so far that if he were believed they should be all cast into the fire What would he have them forbidden all manner of persons without exception If so we women who go not to study in Colledge and have not as men have Tutors to teach us the many things that happen in the world are utterly undone 't is only by the help of Romances that we can arive to any knowledg If they are taken from us we presently return to intractableness and incivility for our minds not being fitted for the books of Philosophy nor any other serious studies there must be some other way for us to learn Vertue and Eloquence Nay what is more we shal be extreamly wrong'd because our lovers and husbands if they discontinue that delightfull reading will forget all the insinuations and addresses of Love so that we shall be no more served with passion and shall have no further adventures to find employment for the writers of the age Consider this most just Judge and represent to your self that if you condemn Romances you will not only injure all women but also all men who will not henceforth find them so amiable as before Let this so powerfull consideration oblige you to doe us justice Amaryllis having so said made a low Courtesie to Anselme and every one mightily applauded her ingenuity to have done what she did without any bodies notice Anselme gave a little nod with his head and smiled as it were to assure her he was satisfied with her conclusion and presently he pronounced these words The Judgement of ANSELME HAving heard the reasons which Clarimond hath alleadged against the most famous works of Poetry and Romances in the world and having also given ear to what Philiris hath answered to maintain the reputation of those different books as also the complaint of Amaryllis who hath mediated in behalf of the Ladies and desired the reading of Romances may not be prohibited after serious and mature examination We ordain That since all these fabulous works are made only for delight and that the design of the Writers is then most fortunate when they most recreate the Readers It shall be lawfull for all to seek their satisfaction and delight in all books wherein they can find it And since Clarimond hath condemned books which do not deserve it so far and that Philiris hath given some greater commendations then they deserve the ablest wits shall hereafter take the matter into consideration and give their judgements without passion of the several Works that shall come abroad into the world Anselme having thus pronounced sentence every one was very glad yeâ— there were divers would have gladly known particularly what credit they should give those books that had been named but they were not in likelyhood to learn any more at that time for the affections and disaffections were such as admitted not of any resolution and if one commended a book another discommended it Anselme represented to them that though there were nothing in all this contrary to reason and that Romances being only things dressed to please as he had said in his sentence it was not to be admired if some were esteemed and others not because the case was not the same as with things that are necessary which ought to have the general approbation The end of the Thirteenth Book THE Anti-Romance OR THE HISTORY Of the SHEPHERD LYSIS The Fourteenth Book ALL those that were then present at Hircans staid a long time talking about those things that Clarimond and Philiris had said and their admiration of Philiris was not little he without any notice given him to answer to what was then controverted having shewn himself so ready and able that his discourse seem'd much more admirable then that of his Adversary though it had not been so long They were astonished at his memory which had been so happy that he had answered in order to all the reasons of Clarimond with very little hesitation Lysis was almost out of himself for joy and though the Poer Musardan had not so much wit as to judge of wit in others yet he thought best to follow the Propositions of him that had spoken for Romances As for the rest they were as I told you of different opinions but he that was most for Clarimond
Drunkenness Qnarrels and Fornication and referring her to the punishment of Famine was not much better in our old Poets Clysters and Julips are brought to purge away her noxious humours Now we come to Lysis's unwillingness to take arms he remembers that Love-songs Madrigals and Ecclogues are the ordinary entertainments of Shepherds but where he says that he will only contend who shall give the best kisses he remembers Myrtil in the Faithful Shepherd as also Ronsard who in the Temple he intends for his Mistress will have her statue close by which shall stand by his as it were going to kiss her and that all that are in Love must come thither once a year upon their feast day and he that should give the best kiss whether wet or dry should have some reward But Hircan's Prophesie assures him as to the taking of arms there are two or three such in the History of Lysander where I shall leave them The Ninth BOOK THere is no book but much may be said on it but since it might be thought repetition I shall contract I see nothing incomprehensible in the Entertainment at Orontes's nor yet in the arrival of the Ambassadors the Antiquities that are ripp'd up as the drinking by the Letters of the Mistresses name which some did till they forgot their own nor was Carmelin's drunkenness to be omitted for the truth of the story requir'd it Love blinded is again in the Faithful Shepherd and that in the Arcadia is to say truth very difficult to make any thing of For Lysis's passing from the Iron to the Golden-Age without passing through the Silver one 't is to shew the excellency of his operations and withal to tell them it shall cost them nothing Nor is that humor of his of having a God for Romances less pleasant but what Cockscombs are these Romans that attribute Genders and Sexes to their Divinities and multiply them without any reason Lysis his Vniversity is very pleasant The disputations that were had on his Theses had been printed had they but assign'd him a Colledge at Pâ—ris What Clarimâ—nd saies of the Golden-Age must be added to what had been said before The fruit of Lotos is a thing was never yet seen nor much heard but what Homer says of it But the design of the Plays is that which is incomparable as well for the disposition of the Scene as the Language To rip up the Fables which they propose to act were to be too tedious as for the lights which Carmelin saw he says nothing which the vulgar opinion confirms not whether they proceed from natural causes or diabolick matters not here In Euphormio you may know somewhat more of them the Author of that Satyr tells you they call Travellers to them and that Euphormio with his friend Percas going by a river side saw a man with a great head of hair and a great Beard who was seen to the navil and that he turned up his buttocks and clapped himself which done he laughed and went under water again As for the Players habits Black is the colour of Pluto's Kingdom Jupiters red is the colour of his Thunder Venus's green is the colour of the Spring which represents Love Ceres's yellow is the colour of her harvests Proserpina's blew is the ordinary colour of maids to be married and for Cyana and Arethusa white represents the silver of their streams But for Cupids being naked with his Bow and Arrow as the Poets paint him there is somewhat to be said against it When he would shoot at one what does he with his torch doth he let it fall to the ground or does he put it out till he hath done and then lights it again at the eyes of some Beauty nor do I see why he should go naked in the cold and therefore I approve Carmelin who being to represent him would not for modesty sake But it may be said the enjoyments of it are naked be it so Venus speaks by Hyperboles yet not such but the Poets make them ordinary for to say that the beauties of a Mistress are able to make the Gods Idolatrous is much beyond any thing she saies The discourses also of Cupid are fit for such a person as the Poets make him for his playing at Cockal since he is a childe 't is natural but pins are more proper for him for 't is his design to prick Nor is Ganimed 's loitering from school absurd for you must note Mercury taught the Gods languages While the Greeks stood they spoke all Greek but when the Empire came to the Romans the Gods were fain to submit to the Latine tongue otherwise they could not have convers'd with that people nor answer'd them by their Oracles Pluto hath taken the Pedantick stile which is the most proper for a solitary God as he is and as this God passing his time with the dead must needs speak some extraordinary Language so those here who spend night and day in reading old Authors and never converse with other men furnish us with nothing but their Pedantry both in their discourse and Books For his mangling of the Latine words he may be easily understood as being not so ridiculously affected as that of the scholler in Rabelais who says he goes to the Lupanar instead of a Bawdy-house and transfrets the Sequane But Rabelais needed not have abus'd others in this point for his own ordinary stile is Pedantick enough The Rencontre of Adrian just in this nick of time must needs be very pleasant and his bidding the company adieu and the Waggoner drive on both in a breath sufficiently speak his quality But the next Comedy is much more perfect as being not interrupted Zethes and Calais speak the ordinary phrase as being yong men but Jason being a Conqueror and better at his hands then at this tongue can speak no other but Gallimathias a kinde of speech hath no name neither among the Greeks nor Latines as consisting of contradictions and clinches upon the words and 't is only the example declares what it is 'T is a Language that much pesters the Courtiers you have enough of it in the Loves of Nerueza and those of Des Escuteaux and in Loves Alarms and though these Books are slighted now yet were they excellent in their time and those that are now in vogue will come to the same fate Our Medea is all in Metaphors a stile proper for a Sorceress he that compos'd the Travels of Aristeus was excellent at it Despair saies he like a resolute Warriour having laid siege to the heart of that Shepherdess with an Army of his sufferings took in at length that fort of her soul having at his entrance knock'd down that inflexible courage cut the throat of his patience massacr'd his furious resolutions and precipitated those thoughts which had escaped the fury of the sword into a fire perpetually burning with a desire of death This Author was the only admiration of the Court but how deservedly But to return
so good company After dinner the Merchant took horse and leave taken return'd to Paris He was in hope the good disposition of Anselme would conduce much to reform that of Lysis and he gave all the kindred this account of him that they should have more comfort for the time to come then they had had before Yet Anselme transported with the impetuosities of Youth which loves nothing so much as to pass away the time merrily would not task himself so soon to take away his fancies and in himself accused Adrian of a great injustice in desiring to deprive the world of the most excellent Fool that ever was believing that if he should restore him to his understanding it would have been a hard matter to reduce him to his folly He resolved therefore to make sport with him as long as he should remain in the Country being rich enough to give him his entertainment And as our contentment is never perfect if our friends are ignorant we receive it and do not partake of it he resolved to recommend to all his Acquaintance this gentle Personage when he thought it convenient Having made him quit the Inne he led him through a many streets to bring him to his own house They were met by some who knew what had happened to the Country-people who had so much fear'd the end of the world They saw well enough that Lysis was he that had been the cause of it His extraordinary habit which had been described to them easily discovered him The novelty of his clothing and of his proportion'd gate obliged to follow him all the Townsmen of S. Cloud who were then in the streets They who had already seen him ran a great way before that they might see him pass by again the Boys throug'd at his heels making a noise as those of Paris do at the riding of a man beaten by his wife Anselme could not make them be quiet and they had not so good luck as they had had the day before when they were not followed by any it being a working day This malicious rout cast stones at Lyfis so that receiving some hurt by one in his back he could endure no longer and turning back with his hat in his hand towards those that followed him he said Sirs leave off your conduct of me I protest you shall go no further I beseech you no further ceremony I take the favour for received These words amaz'd both great and small who understood no more the one then the other and with the menaces which Anselme us'd at the same time it prevail'd with them to retire Anselme admired the natural ingenuity of Lysis and this was haply one of the best things had ever been heard from him Being come home he assign'd him a pretty Chamber and having left him certain Books he desired him to pass away the afternoon in reading while he in the mean time would go visit certain persons whither he thought not fit to bring him along The End of the First Book THE Anti-Romance OR THE HISTORY Of the SHEPHERD LYSIS The Second Book LYsis bestow'd some time in persuing the Books which Anselme had left him But at length not allowing any conceptions any way comparable to his own he would entertain himself no further with them but in the midst of his fond imaginations would take a walk in the Garden And indeed he found not any Books that pleas'd him they being Seneca Plutarch Du Vair Montagne and Charon which do not speak any thing of Romance He affirmed that all was worth nothing and that it was only Plutarch that he valued a little because he said Romulus had been a Shepherd in his youth When he had been at least two hours in the Garden he had a great desire to go abroad though Anselme had pray'd him not to doe it by any means He found a little door whose lock was not of the strongest so that he easily opened it with a knife It went out into a narrow street where he had not gone twenty paces but he perceives that so fair Charite the source of his desires who was returning all alone from some house where Angelica had sent her of an errand However this recontre a little surpriz'd him yet did he not appear so fearfull and having an intention to speak to her he chose rather to go towards her then expect her But presently a huge Country Clout-shoe who lay as it were in ambush for her at some door came and cast himself on her saying Ha Catherine I have thee Thou must pay me the Kiss thou owest me since last night that we plaid at Questions and Commands Lysis seeing her faln into the hands of a person so unworthy her ran as fast as he could for to rescue her But before he could come at her she had been already kiss'd above ten times whatever resistance she could make Which put him into such a fury that lifting up a stick he had in his hand he discharg'd it about the ears of the Fellow crying out How now filthy Satyre who hath taught you to be so presumptuous as to profane the Coral of that fair Mouth Go and profess love to she Goats stinking Beast The Clown feeling himself hurt dismiss'd Charite and flew at the collar of Lysis He took away his staff and did so measure his sides therewith that he was convinc'd his safety lay in his feet but the other pursuing fastned with him again and threw him down in which posture he gave him three or four kicks He had bestowed a little more on him had he not perceiv'd Anselme coming with two Lacquays after him which so frighted him that he took his heels Lysis being risen up saw Anselme and going as gently as if he had had all his bones bruis'd went to tell him Ah! that you had not come sooner You might have assisted me against a Goat-footed god which thought to have killed me He would have forced Charite and I endeavoured to deliver her out of his hands or rather paws The truth is she got away while we were fighting but indeed I have got good blows and have not reliev'd her but at the cost of my sides What could I do against him alone These Fawns are much stronger then men they have the advantage in all things and if your people should have run after this they could not have overtaken him he is as swift as those horses which they say that the wind Boreas had engendred I am very much troubled at this unhappy adventure says Anselme but it is your own fault you should not have gone abroad I had desired you as much The reason of it is that in these parts they understand not what Shepherds of your quality mean You saw a while ago that I had much ado myself to defend you And henceforward if we go out together we will be sure to be well train'd I had not a while ago my servants about me because I make no
replies the Traveller I know it well it is my own Country I would I were there but I am but a league off Coulommiers through which Town I came and I shall lie to night at the first Town where I find good lodging Lysis was now more amaz'd then before and he could not resolve whether Brie were transported to the place where Forrests should be or whether he himself had insensibly leap'd out of one Country into the other He spake with much earnestness to this Traveller who answered him as seriously and gave him such reasons as convinc'd him that he had been deceiv'd The vexation it put him to was such that he would not return to Montenor's The man he met seem'd to him to be a good humour'd fellow so that he resolved to indent a friendship with him though his face was somwhat of the roughest Having asked him what he was he gave this account of himself About five years since says he I was by profession a Journyman-Joyner and had the occasion to fasten a board in the Study of a Learned man that liv'd at Paris He entred into talk with me and finding my discourses to his mind he told me that if I would serve him he would make me a knowing man Now he had found out the Philosophers stone of Knowledge and in the papers he caused to be stuck up and down the City he promised the Abridgment of those long Studies I quitted my former profession for to become learned under him And I swear to you that having serv'd him ever since till now he hath taught me very excellent things I know not what 's become of him since I left him about a small difference that hapned between us and now I travel up and down France teaching what I know to children You never heard of any thing more admirable then what I know I speak readily on any subject is given me my name is Carmelin Seeing you are so eloquent says Lysis let me hear what you can say of Vertue Vertue is so fair replies Carmelin that if men could see her naked they could not but fall in love with her They say that at Rome it was necessary to pass through her Temple to that of Honour As Silver is of less esteem then Gold so is Gold then Vertue She it is that takes deep root in the field of our souls but all other things fade and fall like the flowers of the meadow And what say you of Pleasure replies Lysis Pleasure is the most importunate Mistress in the world says Carmelin the wages she gives us in the end are diseases and despairs It abounds with honey and gall if it present us with Hyppocras there 's wormwood in the bottom of the bowl She is a treacherous whore that doth not embrace but to kill you As I am a Shepherd cryes out Lysis here are as many French Margarites as ever I heard in my life It is clearly seen that you have most exquisite observations and excellent common-places You are the man I want I shall never meet with a better companion I see you are an unsetled person you shall stay in this Country with me A small matter maintains us if you will but turn Shepherd as I am for invitations are so forced upon me that I am hardly able to satisfie those that would have me to dinners and suppers Know you what a Pastoral life is The Pastoral life is the happiest in the world replies Carmelin Shepherds are content with the little they have and he that is content is happy The Naturalists teach us that the thunder falls on the tallest trees and not on the lowest shrubs so calamities aim at great persons and pass over poor rusticks Say you so there is the word indeed says Lysis out of excess of joy what an able man are you you speak nothing but sentences What wonders shall we do if you live with me We will make Books we will crack Arguments and Harangue it before the Nymphs I will give you a Mistress if you have not chosen one already You shall court her and receive signal favours from her but you must resolve to suffer somewhat before you obtain her for she is a most discreet Shepherdess Will you not treat her with fine amorous Complements They say that in Aethiopia there was a statue of Memnon which when the Sun shone on it made an harmonious sound sayes Carmelin in like manner when you or any other person of equal merit shall dart your rayes on me I shall speak those things that shall satisfie your ears The custom of Persia being to make presents to the King a poor handy-craftsman that met Artaxerxes and had nothing to give him went and fetch'd a little fresh water and presented him with it So I shall not indeed present you but with small matters but you will esteem them much if you measure them by my good will knowing that I have not the treasure of Craesus Do not quote so much sayes Lysis let us return to the statue of Memnon I think I am of the same humour As soon as ever my head is smitten by the heat of the Sun I begin to sneeze But to speak of what concerns you without any further digressions I swear to you that you will finde those pleasures with me that neither the most powerful words of your eloquence nor mine can ever express Carmelin who was not the wisest in the world was ravish'd with the promises of Lysis Upon this there past by a Countrey-fellow of whom the Shepherd ask'd the way to Clarimonds Castle he told him he was going that way and bid him follow Lysis did so being resolved to go thither because he had a good opinion of the disposition of that Gentleman He found him at home for he had left Montenor and Anselme But Clarimond was amaz'd to see him and as'd him why he had left his good friends They are cheats replyes Lysis they have brought me hither making me believe it was the Country of Forests and 't is Bry but if I be a Shepherd I shall live as happily here as elsewhere My mother hath discharg'd the Shepherd she had says Clarimond will you take his place the condition is not to be contemned you shall have wages and shall be well entertain'd In the morning your Scrip shall be well furnish'd and at night you shall have as much pottage as you will To propse this to me is to treat me unworthily replyes Lysis know that I will not keep any sheep but what shall be my own I will not be a Hireling 'T is not out of any necessity I take this condition but for the tranquility of this kinde of life 'T is upon the same grounds that so many Shepherds of Arcadia and Forrests who are come from noble houses do the like But you that have sworn to turn Shepherd with me tell me where is the memory of all your oathes I have forgot nothing of what I promiss'd
had helmets on but that proves nothing they wore them not but in fights There had been advanc'd more such considerations had not Synopa come and said that they had discours'd sufficiently and that it was time to collation Carmelin commended her a thousand times within himself for her profitable advice while the Hamadryads discharg'd their baskets of a many good things they had brought and dispos'd them on the green grass which was all the Table-cloath they had The God Morin came near Synopa and told her somewhat in her ear which Lysis perceiv'd not In the mean time Carmelin was help'd by his Master with the wing of a cold Turkey which he fell presently on with his fingers knowing that hands were made before knives but as he was putting a piece into his mouth Synopa withheld his arm Be not too hasty Shepherd saies she to him you are not yet permitted to eat with us We must first wash you in one of our fountains What did Lysis dream on that he hath given you your portion he was like to serve us a fine trick We must have gone to the God Pan for to entreat him to purifie us all I was ignorant of this Ceremony saies Lysis I beg your pardon if I have done any thing amiss I never read what you speak of in any Poet. However it must be believed so and good bathing will do Carmelin no hurt it may conduce to his health Carmelin was thinking what a pleasure it were to be wash'd by such fine Ladies but he wish'd it might be just then that so he might collation with the rest and he saw they did not make any haste to do it They had taken away the meat from him and withal fed so earnestly and with such stomacks that there needed no long time to dispatch all that was which consideration made him sick at the heart The Divinities having ended their collation Synopa thought it time to go and bathe him and to set all the rest in a forwardness but he angrily answered that it was to no purpose seeing there was nothing to be eaten Synopa reply'd that it were so much spar'd another night that he should come and see them Then comes Lysis and whispers to him bidding him go where ere they should carry him and that it would be a means for him to see the Grots of the Nayads whither he had so earnestly desired to go Carmelin crediting him went quietly with the fair Deities but when they were come to the brook of Lucida's fountain Synopa saies to Lysis for your part you need not be present at our Mysteries Morin you see and two of the Gods of the River have left us go your ways with them Lysis who earnestly desired to see their ceremonies that he might be initated in the divine Science was much troubled that he was forc'd to leave them But he was fain to go with Morin and the two other Gods who were Anselme and Clarimond In the mean time Synopa Lucida Montenor the Humadryads and the Cypress took Carmelin by the head and feet and threw him into the water in his cloaths in a certain place that was deep enough He found not so much pleasure in his handling as he had imagin'd but it was much worse with him when the Cypress said that he must be stripp'd stark naked When he had put off his breeches and doublet they tyed him by the arms to a willow that was on the bank as if it had been a piece of the ceremony which done they turn'd up his shirt and whipp'd him so long with Ozier twigs that from crying mercy and begging he fell a railing heartily at all the company but Lucida told him that the water could not cleanse him and that there was within him a corrupt blood that must be whipt out ere he could be made so pure as to be admitted to converse with the Deities All having done him what mischief they could they return'd to their Randezvouz and left him fast tyed Lysis being by this time come near the place where his tree was took leave of the Aquatick Deities who bid him farewell by signs with the hands and conges Being left all alone he was much astonish'd that he could not finde his abode though the appearance of Auroroa made it somewhat light Hircan desirous to try all means to bring him out of his imagination had given order that while he was absent his willow should be cut down at the root and carry quite away Besides all which the place was so well made up with fresh â—urfs that he could not perceive there ever had been any Lysis seeks all about and his hollow brain wanted no matter of imaginations upon this accident Yet though he could not finde his willow he did still imagine himself a tree and hearing some body coming he planted himself near the place where the willow had stood and because he would do nothing before men that were contrary to his nature he lifted up his arms and widened his fingers as though they had been brances In this posture doth Hircan appear to him in the same black suit which he had when he delivered him out of the danger he was in at Orontes's O Tree saies the Magician to him my will is that from henceforth thou become a man 'T is not in thy power to do it replies Lysis they are the great Gods that have Metamorphos'd me The greatest Gods have but the power of Dwarfs if compar'd to me replies Hircan and I will now shew thee the power of my charms While he said so he made a circle about him with a rod he had in his hand which done he read certain barbarous words out of a great book I see I must double my Enchantments says he to Lysis for thou art so self-will'd that thou resistest them What wouldst thou do replies he wouldst thou deprive me of all happiness Let me alone thou know'st not what is fit for thee replies Hircan thou shalt immediately be a man in spight of heaven earth and hell and seeing thou wilt not get out of thy bark to come to me I will cause the winds to blow thee down Thou shalt be put out of thy abiding place and shalt see that I can command all the powers of the world O you Kings of the air and beesoms of the earth goes he on with a louder voyce you winds which blow the one from the one quarter and the other from the othtr that is to say from the North and from the South And you Boreas and Auster I do conjure you by the pantofles of Fate the old Gallogaskins of Saturn and the Close-stool of Proserpina and by whatever else is venerable and august in the world that you blow against this tree and bring it down in such manner as that it lose its vigor and that I may change its form Assoon as the Magician had pronounc'd these words behold there appear'd a brace of knaves all clad with
to him why dost thou oblige we to speak If I had been a quarter of an hour longer in my transportation my history would have been by so much the more noble and more admirable But let us go hence since thou wouldst have it so I shall finde my misery as well in one place as in another Alas my memory dogs me every where it will ever represent to me the cruel words of Charite I command you not to obey me any more said she O God! what cruelty's this After I had receiv'd so many testimonies of her good will in two days she is chang'd and will not have me obey her any more which is as much as to say in one word that she desires not to be any longer my Mistress nor that I should be her servant Wherein have I offended her Let her tell me my offence and if I am found guilty I shall desire no other to ordain my punishment but a Busiris or a Phalaris The disconsolate Shepherd utter'd many such complaints as he walk'd along with Carmelin and when he came to a path that led to Montenor's he would needs go thither for to say something to Anselme Having by good hap met with him he asked him whether he had still in his Box the Eccho of St. Clou because he now thought it time to make some use of it and that he had found a cave very fit to be its abode Anselme answered him that he had been very careful to preserve such a pretty little Nymphs and that he thought it a fit time to present him with it Upon that he left him and returning again presently he put into his hands a box wherein he assur'd him the Eccho was Lysis having given him many thanks returns with so much joy as a little diverted the sadness which he had conceiv'd at the disdain of Charite But being withal very impatient before he was come half way to the place where the little Nymph was to be dispos'd he was so desirous to see her that he opened the Box. As soon as the lid was off the Sparrow which Anselme had put into it fled away so that he soon lost the sight of it Whither fliest thou O most precious member of the body of the fairest Nymph that ever was says the desolate Shepherd my curiosity hath been as impertinent as that of Pandora Aglaura and Psyche Why did I not stay till I were come into a less spacious place then this O Eccho Eccho where art thou This he uttered as loud as he could and yet there was not any Eccho made answer At length being towards the evening come near the place of her abode he cry'd out again and heard an Eccho for indeed there was one there If this be not the Eccho I have lost saies he it is another as good It must be thought there may be as excellent ones in Brie as in the Isle of France Dear Nymph continues he I have been ill treated by Charite this afternoon will she continue her cruelty The Eccho answered Cruelty And having ask'd her afterwards something else she pronounc'd words whence he could not dra any satisfaction so that having presently met with Clarimond he made his complaint to him You are in a very great error saies Clarimond to him you are to know that if the Eccho answers any thing to the purpose it is by chance and of a hundred words there may not be two wherein there is any sense And whereas you finde in Books a long train of answers that are very good they have been purposely invented and that with much difficulty Besides 't is to no purpose to consult that oracle it is a vain and ridiculous one It knows little since it saies nothing but what it hath heard us say and all it doth is to repeat the last syllables of a period where we stop You are deceiv'd your self replies Lysis if I had the Eccho which I have now lost it woold answer me to any thing I should ask it I have elsewhere had experience of its skill He thereupon related part of what the Eccho had said to him at St. Clou. And indeed if we remember though it was Anselme that made him immediate answers yet had the replies much sense in them And if it be wondred how that could be and it be objected to me that Clarimond thought the good answers of an Eccho could not be brought about without pains I shall be excus'd if I say that besides that there was much hazard in the business Lysis then ended his periods with certain words he had chosen long before as the best he could find for to speak in to an Eccho After he had related that brave adventure he told him what Anselme had presented him withall and of his curiosity which made Clarimond wonder at his folly more then ever the Shepherd when he had done that story could not but tell him how the loss of his Eccho had follow'd that of the favour and affection of Charite as indeed misfortunes go ever in company Clarimond having learn'd of him the words which his Mistress had said to him told him presently Shepherd you have no reason to be any ways troubled If Charite hath commanded you not to obey her any more why will you obey her in this very command What she hath said to you signifies as much as if she had said nothing at all She will not have you to obey her and yet you see she commands you she will not lay any further command on you and yet she will have you to obey her What may be concluded thence but that you must take no notice of this last command which you must not obey and observe the former ones which oblige you to obedience Lysis had much ado to comprehend the sense of this discourse For Clarimond understood it not too well himself and would needs explain one piece of Gibrish by another more obscure However I must confess says the Shepherd to him dear friend that thy subtilty is great and that thy solutions are admirable Yet my mind is still in disquiet and I have some particular opinions which seem to me as like to be true as thine Alas I shall ever have a memory of those cruel words of Charite I command you not to obey me any more They will cause no that grief that I shall die of Astraea never spake any thing so harsh to Celadon and yet he stick'd not to cast himself into the River All she said to him was that he should go his wayes and never appear before her till he was commanded This was easie to be understood and could not put his mind into so much disquiet Well since you will not believe me says Clarimond the only remedy remains is to propose your difficulty to some Logicians but for my part I shall ever be of opinion that we must do by this knot as Alexander did with that of Gordian and that you must cut it asunder
Besides it was reported that all the riches he had in the world was an Angel in gold but that it was so enchanted that when he had given it a Tradesman for some commodity it ever came back again into his purse a place it seems it affected better then any where else 'T was also believ'd for certain that if he took a gimlet and pierc'd one of the Posts of a Table he would make wine come forth and if they went afterwards into the Merchants Cellar they found the Pipe which had lost it for he by his magick would cause the wine to be transported to his house For what concerns the curing of diseases in that point he defied all Physitians and whenever he cured any of his friends he transplanted the diseases into his enemies that so he might not entrench upon Fate whose ordinance it was there should ever be somebody sick 'T is true I was not desirous to be fully cured of my disease I took such delight in it that I was content only to be a little eas'd I went therefore and knock'd at this Magicians door before day and he who was already at his study came presently to the door It was an old man whose beard was of such a length that besides that part he had left in the middle he had twisted what was on both sides and it served him for a girdle That was a thing strange enough to see but I was much more amaz'd when I observ'd that he had so many wrinkles on his face whereof some were in direct lines and others in oblique that they seem'd as so many magical characters that time had drawn there to make him master of life and death Assoon as he had bidden me good morrow I shook as a reed on the brink of a lake at the sound of his whizzing voice which seem'd to issue out of hell through some abyss But at length he spoke more mildly to me and restor'd me bidding me not fear at all because I was so much in favour with heaven that I should find the assistance I look'd for and that he well saw that what I ailed was nothing more then ordinary to Youth that is to say the disease of Love forwhich he was stor'd with all sorts of remedies How well have you already ghess'd answer'd I 'T is true I am in Love but 't is not with a mortal creature but a Nayad I saw yesterday in the River but cannot since recover the sight of though I waited till now Do me but the favour that I may see her once more before I die and I shall so recompence you that you will rest as well satisfied as I. Zenocritus promis'd me to do what I desired and having brought me into a dark chamber he put off my cloaths and put them on again mumbling over certain barbarous words Thence he led me into his Court where when he had made a circle and lighted three candles about it he cast a vail over my head and read a while in his conjuring-Conjuring-book This done he took me by the hand and made me go a great way vail'd as I was then having made me kneel he took the vail off my head and told me I was where I desired to be and that it was in my power to remain two hours before my Mistress Upon that he left me as being unwilling to be a witness of my amorous thefts But the enchantments pass'd had made me so stupid that it was a good while ere I remembred me that I was on the Marne side As I cast my sight on the waters which were very clear thereabouts I saw in them a Nymph the fairest could be imagin'd she had on her head a dressing of cloth of silver with small purl-work and a blew gown I presently conceiv'd it was my Nayad and that I should make use of the opportunity to gain her favours since the charms of Zenocritus had come to so good effect Fair Nayad said I to her in an extreme transportation I confess modesty obliges you to appear so clad to the eys of men yet I must tell you I would rather have seen you naked as I did last night for it being now broad day I should have been incredibly satisfied in considering you all over Since the honour of beauty consists in nothing so much as to be seen why are you so carefull to hide your self Thus did I entertain her thinking she would speak to me but she answer'd me not at all and was only content to look on me with languishing eyes I perceiv'd her lips move but her voice reach'd not my ears so that I thought it might be the water hinder'd it That made me say to her Come out of the water my fair Sun behold the great Sun of the world comes out too Come and enlighten our earth where all men shall adore you Come give me your hand that I may help you to get out In so saying I kiss'd my right hand and presented it to her At the same time she kiss'd her left hand and presented it to me as if she had been desirous to come to me but though my fingers seem'd to be very neer hers yet could I not touch them which making me half desperate I fell to beating my breast The Nymph did the like for to sympathize with my grief whereat I was so troubled that it set me a weeping and methought she wept too You suffer too much said I then 't is necessary I come to you my fair one since you cannot come to me And in saying so I cast my self into the water which being shallow I was not so high as my middle but there being nothing but sand and gravel whereever I laid my hands I came out again presently looking afterward into the water which was all muddy I could see my Nayad no more whose loss I so much regretted that I laid me along on the ground as if I had been ready to die At length my grief being somewhat abated and my mind not being taken up with viewing the waters I look'd ore my self O Gods shall I tell all I perceiv'd that I had womans cloaths on and having put my hand on my head found I had a dressing on like that of the Nayads By that I discover'd the cheat of Zenocritus's enchantments and I had reason to doubt that the face I had so much admir'd was my own which being disguis'd I had mistaken Thereupon I return'd to the river less sad then before and there perceiving the same figure I spoke thus There 's none but will confess that this face is handsome and for my own part I should think my self happy could I finde a Wench that had one so fair I would to God it were so But why do I desire it is there any thing more pleasant then to be Mistress and Servant together I shall when I please see the beauty which hath surprised me If I sigh it will sigh too if I laugh it
notice of his death but the manner of it is very pleasant 'T is thought that spirits can in a moment translate themselves whither they please and can finde us as easily in the bottom of a Sellar as on the top of a Tower They need no staires to go up not down by nor yet door nor window to come in at But this knocks at Cleanders Castle gate till the Gentleman himself came and opened but it was out of modesty because he would no take him unawares 'T is as hard a thing to believe that a young French Gentleman such as Lidian should in a little while preach so famously in Spanish The Author forgetting at length that he had undertaken an History insensibly falls into Fables like those of Amadis He makes Calista bear Armes he makes Hippolita fight with Lysander as if the delicacy of a Woman could undergoe that hardship Lysander goes from Rouen to Paris all armed as if 't were the mode of France to goe so in times of peace or as if we still lived in the age of Knight-Errantry Henry the Great desirous to doe justice by way of Armes permits the accuser of Calista to fight with any that should defend her She in the mean time is placed on a Scaffold hanged with black according to the ancient custome There are other strange accidents as when Hippolita and her maid Erifila keep the Arms at the Tournament He should not have put in adventures so easily discoverable for lies for they are so extraordinary that if there had been any such thing many yet alive would have seen them and somewhat might have been found to that purpose in the History of that King To conclude at the marriage of Calista a Nymph fills the Hall with darkness and afterward made an obelisk arise whence there issued so much water that most were in fear to be drowned at length the water having ceased they read the Prophesies which were written thereon The Author tells us not whether this was done by art or by Enchantment for he knew not himself and his designe was to pursue his stile of Knight-Errantry And thus have you an account of Lysanders History and if you think be deserves any esteem for his language I tell you there are in it a world of Gascon phrases and the periods are sometimes so long and so confounded that a man hath much adoe to find any sence in them Nor doe I believe that the Adventures of Polyxena are able to make good the cause of all other Romances of this age 'T is a book ill begun and worse pursued The Author says almost nothing of himself Polixena or Cloriman spake all Besides all the successes are so common that they deserve not the relation There are many other books among us which I mention not for they having the same defects as I have blamed in the others are already answered Those that have read them know there 's nothing but repetitions without any orders There is besides generally in all an insupportable want of judgement The Author saies that such a one hath told his story he saies that another hath related his to him as it follows there and this letter relates the relation of another so thatâ— the reader is lost and knows not who speaks It may be said the Author and three or four more altogether 'T were handsome to see a man that should speak to us three hours together in the same manner as another had spoken to him Should not the audience be sometimes deceived thinking it were he himself that spoke There is yet another huge fooâ—ery which must come into all adventures and that is if some secret be to be discovered somebody shall speak too loud that some of his enemies that are hidden somewhere 〈◊〉 him shall over-hear it These Authors consider not that there are few such â—ools as being all alone will complain aloud and make open relations of their misfortunes By all these impertinences which I have observed in Romances and Poetry you perceive most just Judge that it is not without reason that I contemn them And I must tell you withall that though there were one work of this nature which were free from all these imperfections I have quoted I should not esteem it so much as the most inconsiderable relation that were true You learn out of History things that you may alleadg for authorities but of a Romance there 's no fruit at all On the contrary they are the loss of many minds whereof I shall give sufficient testimony before I leave this place Some young people having read them and seeing all happens according to the wishes of the Adventurers whom they treat of desire to lead such a life and by that means quit those professions which they were fit for All men generally have much reason to inform against such Books since there is not a Cockney in Paris nor waiting gentlewoman elsewhere but will have them and having read three or four pages thinks not her self able to read lectures to us This is the reading that instructs them to be talking gossips and robs us of the means of innocent courtships If you consider all these things you will order that none in this Assembly make henceforth any esteem of such pernicious books which may be a means by degrees to deliver the rest of the people of France out of their errors Clarimond having here ended his plea there were few but were of his opinion such strong reasons had he produced but Aâ—selm turning towards Musardan asked him what he had to say against him 'T was expected he would have made an excellent Oration full of Rhetorical flowers but he began to speak thus Sirs This Gentleman I must confess hath spoken the truth in most places I esteem no more then he does most of the books he hath named but if I have the honour to see you at Paris within some time I will shew you a Book I am now about which shall exceed all this This fellows impertinence was insupportable Clarimond was suffered to speak against Romances because of his strength of wit and the reasons he brought but for that wandring Jew that blamed what he was not able to maintain he deserved to be tost in a blanket Besides it was thought base in him to speak against what he had promised to maintain but he could not have kept his word had he endeavoured it because he had not read all the books that Clarimond had quoted nor had he the wit to defend them they therefore made a great hooting at this ignorant writer and Lysis having caused the noise to cease fell a checking of him for having forsaken his cause he told him he should not write his History as he had once resolved he should He seeing that they openly affronted him made no answer but shook his noddle and stunk behind the rest Clarimond omitted not to importune the Judge saying pronounce the sentence on my side I beseech you